Self-care strategies and interventions needed in patients with heart failure: from patient perspectives-a qualitative study

Abstract

Aims: Most patients with heart failure (HF) have symptoms. Poor self-care has been associated with the development or worsening symptoms. Thus, to improve HF symptoms, it may be critical to understand self-care and interventions targeting improvements in HF symptoms needed from patients' perspectives. To explore patients' perceptions of self-care strategies of individual symptoms, HF symptom improvement, and interventions needed to improve HF symptoms in patients with HF.

Methods and results: Qualitative data were collected from 20 patients with HF using a semi-structured open-ended interview guide. Data were analysed using content analysis. Five themes appeared: (i) use of a variety of strategies with some knowledge deficit and inefficiency, (ii) uncertainty in symptom improvement, (iii) consideration of several possible self-care strategies, (iv) use of situation-specific strategies in seeking treatment, and (v) willingness to receive comprehensive and realistic interventions. Patients used a variety of self-care strategies, including taking medication, reducing activities, and changing diet and position, but many reported having a lack of knowledge and multiple HF symptoms. Several patients were uncertain whether symptoms could be improved, but all patients reported that they would participate in comprehensive and realistic intervention sessions to gain knowledge about their symptoms and management strategies, and to receive emotional support from healthcare providers and peer patients.

Conclusion: Patients with HF used several self-care strategies with the hope of symptom improvements but were uncertain about the effectiveness. More effective, comprehensive, and realistic interventions need to be delivered to patients with HF to enhance their ability to manage their symptoms.

Keywords: Heart failure; Intervention; Self-care; Symptoms.